Game #12 Vs. Davidson Wildcats

[usc4valpo]

no video

[valpotx]

Good way to end the season!  Great season to build on, one in which we very easily could (and should) have been 7-5 (5-3).  My hope is that Clarke or Stokes is ready to take over for Lehman, who did have a good overall year.

[valpopal]

[tweet]536279843168858112[/tweet]

[govalpogo]

I got a twinge of nerves when we fumbled at the 3 yard line and they turned it into a TD.  But the boys responded well and put the game away.  Very encouraging going into next year!  Let's see how Coach C does with a full off season of recruiting. Perhaps an above .500 season in his 2nd year!?

[valpotx]

Definitely possible, since he produced 4 wins with the same players the Carlson couldn't win with, and all games were fairly close.  It will depend on one of our QBs stepping up.

[vu72]

Particular congrats to Ben Lehman who stepped into a difficult role and, after a somewhat slow start, continued to grow and ultimately put together perhaps his finest game in the final college game.

Haven't said this in many years:  CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!

[historyman]

I was reminded of the dedication of these athletes who play for 4 years and give their heart to a program when I saw a Davidson player in the arms of his parent being consoled. In their 4 years Davidson went 4-7, 2-9, 0-11 & 1-11. In the Valpo game the Wildcats saw a chance to show that their season wasn't a disaster and win a conference game. In also reminded me of what some of our graduates went through in the last few senior football classes.

[valpopal]

I read the following tweet this evening from a player I saw devastated as I stood near him on the sideline early last year when he suffered a severe injury that would end his season and require surgery plus extensive rehabilitation to come back and play this season. I think his situation, as well as the character displayed by his attitude and perseverance that permitted him to return and play the full season this year, nicely exemplifies the high quality of student-athletes we are fortunate to have on our teams, especially when one considers the setbacks and adversity the football seniors frequently have faced the last four years.


"Came out with that W against Davidson!! Sent us seniors out right! Valpo football has been the best experience these past four years!!"

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Took Cecchini 12 to win 4.  Who knows how many it would've taken Carlson, since 43 wasn't enough.

Hats off to our boys.  Best year since 2007. 

(When this year's freshmen were in FIFTH GRADE)

[valpotx]

As I said all of this season, Ben Lehman is an above average QB in the PFL, and many teams would love to have a guy like that!  We didn't use our QBs well under Carlson (dink and dunk all game), so we never got to see what Ben could do in his limited playing time over the last 3 years.  I believe that most teams would be happy with a QB who throws for 14 TDs against 12 INTs, in his first significant playing time at this level.

[VUDad]

Four wins will help the recruiting efforts. A lot of new receivers and o-lineman needed. As for QB, there will be four coming back (yes, four--including a transfer who looks decent). Ben's stong finish to the season shows how this coach can develop a player over time. Stokes saw no snaps, Clarke only a few, and Stahl wasn't 100% from his knee--so who knows who will be next. Good outlook for running backs, heard Jake will return for his 5th year so all three will be back. With Green and Guilford anchoring the D, they'll be even better next year. Looks like reason for optimism for Valpo football. Best of luck, Crusaders.

[chef]

What an incredibly enjoyable season to be around Valpo football. Just watching them return to respectability was so gratifying for those close to the program that listened to so much negativity over the past few years. I don't think you can throw out to many compliments to this incredible coaching staff and the job this year. Like everybody else, I can't wait til next season. As long as we're looking forward to key players for next season, how about JJ Nunes...who came out of nowhere to be one of the best safeties in the league. Remember all those big plays given up the past few years, Nunes was the biggest reason that didn't happen this season.

[valpopal]

As we discuss looking forward to next year and which players will be back, it is good to realize that team leadership should not be a  problem since all four captains are expected to return:

[historyman]

What an incredibly enjoyable season to be around Valpo football. Just watching them return to respectability was so gratifying for those close to the program that listened to so much negativity over the past few years. I don't think you can throw out to many compliments to this incredible coaching staff and the job this year. Like everybody else, I can't wait til next season. As long as we're looking forward to key players for next season, how about JJ Nunes...who came out of nowhere to be one of the best safeties in the league. Remember all those big plays given up the past few years, Nunes was the biggest reason that didn't happen this season.

You're just happy to be at the Soaring Eagle, or whatever, Gambling Casino again in Mt Pleasant, aren't you?

[VULB#62]

It was worth the 8 hour R/T drive yesterday to witness a Valpo FB win at Brown Field.  The weather was wet with short showers intermittently throughout the game and a temperature at game time of around 48 degrees.  I got a chance to talk to some of the senior parents ( Cassaras, Singhs, Gadsons, and Simpkins) -- wonderful people.  Despite the disappointment of the previous 3-4 seasons, they were so excited for their kids and for the team's reversal of fortune  this season.  They all mentioned in one way or another the tight relationship between the staff and the kids as being a factor in the rebound.

It was also good to watch the first half and see that, despite playing terribly, they still managed to go into the lockerroom ahead at the half.  Later I found out from Vinny Giacalone, the OL coach, that they were making the wrong blocking calls most of the first half and had to regroup at the intermission.  Talking to the OC, Jason Miran, he told me that the opening drive of the second half was the first time since Jewel that the O had a second half opening drive for a TD. Just before the first half ended I told a fan sitting next to me that the difference between this team and previous teams is that they adjust and are better in the second half.  That made me sound like an expert when they scored and then iced it. 

BTW the D played most of the second half without John Guilford.  He was standing on the sideline with his helmet off -- concussion??

Justin Stovall, the LB and ST coach, was grinning ear to ear -- almost busted two KO returns for TDs. All FGs and PATs were perfect.  Coverage except for one return to the 40 or so was good.

I felt so bad for Fred Gladney.  He was targeted more than usual this game and he came through.  He made a great grab of a Lehman pass inside the 10, juked the nearest defender and started plowing (    I think he's listed at 6-1 155) toward the endzone trying to score.  The pursuit caught up and a LB absolutely crushed him (I could hear the hit from the top row) and the ball squirted out.   

I think the team is starting a new tradition after each home game.  After their midfield huddle they came to the sidelines and sang a fast paced (with clapping) version of the Alma mater (I think) to the fans -- really cool and spirited. 

Didn't get a chance to talk with Ernest Moore the DC or Dave Cecchini, but Jason and I talked about recruiting while we watched the kids all individually ringing the Victory Bell (sweet!).  He mentioned that last year they had only 6 weeks to sell their recruiting base on VU.  They did not have enough time to build solid coach-to-recruit relationships, and, as a result, they lost several commits after the NLI day.  This year that is not going to be the case.  As a matter of fact a group (maybe 15?) of recruits were brought onto the field during pregame warmups and the coaches all came over at some point and spent time with them.  I heard from one parent that rumor has it, that if all goes well,  the '15 recruiting class could be big in numbers (30+?).  I'm sure with the improved record and the new facilities, that the quality will also spike upward.

I could write a book about my observations. But the best reward of the trip was seeing the smiling faces of all the players, parents and coaches.

[VULB#62]

The post-game press conference:

Valpo Football Press Conference: Davidson 11|22|14

[valpotx]

Was the low attendance due to the wet conditions, or the matchup?  That is sad to see that only 900 people watched this Senior class' last game.

[VULB#62]

Felt like more than 900, but no students -- gone for Thanksgiving break.  No cheerleaders or dancers.  Only ½ of the pep band.  AND NO CRUSADER!   

Davidson travels well BTW - ~ hundred Mildcat  fans.

POST-TRIB Article:

http://posttrib.chicagotribune.com/sports/31237226-556/college-football-valparaisos-resurgent-season-ends-with-win.html#.VHIu5L4XIZY

NWITimes:

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/crusaders-close-out-season-with-victory-over-davidson/article_44039d3b-82bc-5e84-b1f7-29e12123e132.html

[valpopal]

[tweet]536680301960130560[/tweet]

[valpotx]

We led all of D-1 FCS in only allowing 0.42 sacks/game!

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Wow.  That's incredible, and unlike the stats we normally lead FCS in (thankfully).

The nice part about stats like that is that they attract quarterbacks.

[VULB#62]

Here's the text from the VU release on Ben's honor and detail info on some more good stuff to complete the season. 

http://valpoathletics.com/football/news/2014-15/14153/lehman-named-pfl-offensive-player-of-the-week/

Lehman Named PFL Offensive Player of the WeekSunday, November 23, 2014
Quarterback Ben Lehman (Elgin, Ill./Saint Edward Central Catholic) became the second Crusader in three weeks to receive a Pioneer Football League (PFL) Player of the Week award as the senior was recognized for his 26-for-33 afternoon on Saturday. Lehman racked up 284 yards through the air, fired two touchdown passes, and recorded a season-high 78.8% completion percentage in Valpo's 27-13 victory over Davidson.

The honor comes two weeks after John Guilford (Spencer, Ohio/Black River) earned a PFL Defensive Player of the Week nod following his three-sack performance in Valpo's 17-3 defeat of in-state rival Butler.

With Citadel taking two sacks in the fourth quarter of its game Saturday versus VMI, Valparaiso finished 2014 as the team with the fewest sacks allowed per game in Division I FCS (0.42). Another top national honor went to freshman Jarrett Morgan (Cooper City, Fla./Cooper City), who accumulated the most return yards on kickoffs (34.9).

Lehman concluded his career with the Brown and Gold Saturday having thrown for 2,827 yards and 18 touchdowns on 264 completions. Coupled with 221 career rushing yards, Lehman amassed over 3,000 yards of total offense. 

[VULB#62]

I think the team is starting a new tradition after each home game.  After their midfield huddle they came to the sidelines and sang a fast paced (with clapping) version of the Alma mater (I think) to the fans -- really cool and spirited. 

It wasn't the Alma mater.  It was the Valpo fight song.  And they did a great job singing it.

[bbtds]

Best year since 2007. 

(When this year's freshmen were in FIFTH GRADE)

You're a year off. That seemed too young.

football season(year that academic grade was completed)

2006(07)=5th grade
2007(08)=6th grade
2008(09)=7th grade
2009(10)=8th grade
2010(11)=9th grade/fr. HS
2011(12)=10th grade/so. HS
2012(13)=11th grade/jr. HS
2013(14)=12th grade/sr. HS
2014(15)=freshman year at Valpo

[LaPorteAveApostle]

careful or wh will call you NITPICKER and PEDANT